“I did my research and found that Booz Allen was one of the top places to start your career.”

Andrea Diaz

, Consultant

Why did you choose Booz Allen?

While I was still in college, I worked as an intern for NASA, providing cost estimates and program management. During that time, I interacted often with Booz Allen employees. They always talked about their great work environment, especially the open-door policy and how they could approach managers with any problem and they’d listen to them. After my internship ended, I wanted to continue working with the government. I did my research and found that Booz Allen was one of the top places to start your career and had a great reputation in the consulting industry, and I wanted to contribute to that reputation.

How has Booz Allen helped you prepare for a career as a consultant?

Booz Allen has a great training program for new employees. They teach you about the firm’s culture, how to excel at consulting, how to work well with your client, and much more.

Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?

One member of my team has always been very helpful. This is a great relationship because I know that I can always go to him in case I need help or just want to bounce an idea that I have off him, and it’s comforting to know that someone cares. The first time I met with the client, I was a little scared, but he guided me and told me to be myself, which really calmed me down.

What is the most important thing that working at Booz Allen has taught you about yourself?

I’ve learned that if I were put in a leadership position, I could succeed. The first time I attended meetings at Booz Allen, I didn’t understand everything that was being discussed, but I put my ideas out there anyway. I was surprised when several of my co-workers agreed with what I’d said. After I realized they were open to listening to whatever I had to say, I was no longer intimidated. This motivates me and builds my confidence, and assures me that I’m a good fit here at the firm.

What do you find most exciting about your work?

I enjoy working directly with the client, which makes a big difference instead of communicating just through e-mail or phone. It’s a relationship that’s on a whole different level—they’ve been so welcoming, and given me a head’s up on how they work.

Please describe a time when you have seen one or more of the firm’s Core Values in action.

Everyone here treats each other with respect on a daily basis. We listen to what others have to say, even though sometimes we many not fully agree with them, but we take the time understand their points of view. In addition, when someone on my team needs help with their work, there are always people willing to help out. Recently, another team member and I were working on a spreadsheet and another team member took the whole day to help us so that we would finish successfully by the end of the day. Booz Allen is a big company and I can network with a lot of people. Interacting with the vice presidents and managers also provides amazing opportunities; our vice president stops by often just to say hi.